PARIS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday announced the last remaining French hostage in the hands of Al Qaeda's north African arm AQIM, was freed.
"Serge Lazarevic, our last hostage, is freed. France has no more hostages, in any part of the world," Hollande said.
Lazarevic, 50 years old, was kidnapped by AQIM on the night of Nov. 24, 2011, together with Phillippe Verdon who was killed two years after.
They were taking a business trip for a cement project, but were abducted from their hotel in Hombori, according to local report which cited their families.
In a statement issued by his office, French president added Lazarevic was en route for the Nigerian capital Niamey and he would be rapidly repatriated.
"Despite harsh conditions of his LONG captivity, Lazarevic is relatively healthy," Hollande said.
